Highland, Kansas
As Iowa Western's Defense goes, so goes the team. The 'Darkside' turned in another dominating performance, this time away from home for the first time this season, and IWCC's 2022 record remained perfect in a 24-7 defeat of Highland.
Rashion Hodge led the Reivers with 13 tackles, while Jackson Filer stifled the Scotties for four tackles for loss as Highland was held to negative five rushing yards and 89 total offensive yards. IWCC has allowed just 141.3 yards per contest in the season's first three games.
JoJo Johnson, Marcel Tyler and Dylan Reyes all collected interceptions and Iowa Western blocked three different Highland kicking attempts, including a punt block by Mikey Miles to set up IWCC deep in Highland territory.
"On a day when Highland played well defensively, it was our defense that picked us up", said Head Coach Scott Strohmeier after the game. "It's not a surprise, Coach (Mike) Blackbourn and the defensive coaches do a great job of game planning and then adjusting the game plan when needed. Another great showing by the defensive side of the football."
Offensively, the Reivers were led by backup Quarterback Aiden Niedens and Running Back Bryant Williams. Williams found the endzone twice and racked up 75-yards rushing, while Niedens kept plays alive with his feet, completing 65% of his passes for 131 yards.
Niedens most dazzling play came on a throw he'd like to have back. Highland Defensive Back Dylan Stokes intercepted the Bishop Carroll High School graduate and appeared to be headed for the defensive score, but Niedens never quit, tackling Stokes at the Reivers' 16-yard line. The 'Darkside' forced a three-and-out and Grant Sillyman missed a 29-yard field goal to keep the possession empty.
"That was definitely one of the plays of the day right there", said Strohmeier, "for Aiden to come in for Andre (Goodman) and then to turn a negative play into a chance for us to keep them off the scoreboard was just huge".
Several Reivers were banged up coming into the game and that number increased during play. Defensive lineman Tyree Hill and Andre Goodman both exited with minor injuries, while defensive back Jaheim Jenkins suffered a severe injury that will keep him out the rest of the season.
"One of the hardest parts about being a coach is seeing guys go down like that", Strohmeier commented on Sunday, "Jaheim is in great spirits, but you just feel for him, he was having a great season and whoever gives him a chance at the next level is going to get a steal. We'll miss him on the field the rest of this season, for sure."
With the win, IWCC improved to 8-1 all-time against HCC. The series dates back to 2010 when the two teams met to kick off the season in the Reivers' first game at Titan Stadium.
While nine games in 14 seasons may seem like a lot, the team that the Reivers have faced the most comes to town on Saturday. Ellsworth and Iowa Western have met 18 times, with IWCC holding a 17-1 advantage in the series. A win Saturday would improve the Reivers' home record against the Panthers to 10-1, while also tying them with Iowa Central on top of the ICCAC Standings.
The game kicks off at 2:30 at Lewis Central High School's Titan Stadium with the free tailgate, provided by Barley's Bar & Grill, beginning approximately one and half hours before kickoff. All the action can be heard, free of charge, on the Reiver Sports Network. The game, with Jake Ryan, Russ Nelsen, and Josh Odson on the call, can also be found on Iowa Western's 100,000-watt fm radio station, 89.7 The River.
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